Then I turned around to take the potion in to the boys, only to see them standing silently in the kitchen, dressed and staring at me.
“That looks appetizing.” Kyle said, then gagged dramatically.
I held out both arms and walked forward, handing Kyle a vial, then Xander the other. “It’s not meant to be delicious. It’s meant to work. That’s the important bit.”
“No pain, no gain. Huh?” Kyle asked, the twinkle of humor returning to his brown eyes.
Both guys took the potion I offered and stared at it. “What’s this going to do exactly?”
I pressed my lips together, worried about this next part. “I don’t actually know for sure. This isn’t a spell I’ve tried before. But it is supposed to give you some protection if anyone throws a huge spell at you—a spell with malevolent intent.”
Kyle put it to his lips. “Well, I trust you.” He glanced at Xander, who lifted his vial in the air. “Cheers,” Kyle added. Then they threw back the containers, swallowing the potion in a single shot.
Both of them gagged.
“That shit’s terrible,” Xander complained, handing me back the now-empty glass tube.
I grinned at him. “Yeah, but if it saves your life, it’s well worth it.” I pointed out where I’d put the spare ones, just in case they needed another dose when I wasn’t here to grab it.
“Do you really think the high warlock’s gonna try something?” Kyle asked, still grimacing and shaking his head about.
“Yes, I do,” I whispered. “And in this realm, he has the advantage. He is all-powerful here.”
Xander walked over and kissed my lips with a possessive flare that I loved, his mouth almost bruising on mine, leaving his mark. “You’re powerful too, Monique. And after everything we’ve gone through to find you, we’re not giving up without a fight.”
Xander swayed suddenly, then staggered sideways, grabbing onto the table to steady himself.
“Shit. You okay?” I moved forward to grab him, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Kyle fall to the ground.
“Oh no!”I’ve killed them.
I rushed for Kyle but he put an arm out to stop me. “Don’t grab me. I feel like I’m gonna vomit.”
“Argh... me too,” Xander agreed. “My stomach is...” He burped loudly, then gagged. “Fuck, that shit’s nasty.”
Kyle made a loud retching sound, but instead of throwing up everywhere, he burped as well, then sighed. “That’s much better.”
Xander sat down on one of the wooden kitchen chairs and Kyle dragged himself to his feet. Their complexions were pale, but overall, neither now looked like they were dying. Which was a definite step up from a few seconds ago.
“Are you guys okay?” I asked them, my heart still thumping madly in my chest.
“I think so,” Kyle muttered as he stumbled to the sofa and fell onto the cushions, lying down. “Whoa... that was intense.”
“Do you feel any different?” I asked, wondering exactly what sort of effect the potion would have. The spell book only said that it was good for protecting someone against harmful magic.
Nothing about how long it would last, or what effect it might have on the host. Which was rare. But it was an old book.
“Not really,” Xander said, shaking his head.
Kyle groaned. “If it saves us from the all-powerful warlock, then being a bit sick is well worth it.”
I sank into the armchair near the fire so I could keep an eye on both of my men.
“I never thanked you both.” I managed through the lump in my throat. If tonight was going to be the end, which there was certainly a chance that it would be, I needed to say a few things.
“Thank us for what?” Kyle asked.
“For finding me,” I whispered. “For making me feel so special. So wanted. So loved. I don’t think I’ve ever known these feelings before.”